Swivel organizer

ABSTRACT

A storage organizer for vanity items includes a cabinet in which an interior space is formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from the top wall to the bottom wall. A door, for the interior space, extends between the top wall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, opposite the back wall when in a closed position. The storage organizer further includes a base joined to the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/368,019, titled SWIVEL ORGANIZER, filed Mar. 3, 2006, which claimspriority to provisional application No. 60/754,445 filed on Dec. 28,2005, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to organizers and more particularly tovanity organizers.

BACKGROUND

Vanity items such as jewelry and cosmetics, for example, makeup, hairstyling products, creams, lotions, etc., are often stored in a number ofstorage receptacles, for example, cabinets and chests, that may varyconsiderably from one another, according to the type of item storedtherein and the intended placement thereof, for example in a drawer, ona counter or dresser top, or on a floor. Thus, these various storagereceptacles may not be conveniently located with respect to one another.What is needed is a single storage organizer accommodating many, if notall, of these vanity items in an organized fashion and providingflexibility for ease of access to each item.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A storage organizer for vanity items, according to embodiments of thepresent invention, includes a cabinet in which an interior space isformed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the firstsidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the secondsidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending from thefirst sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall extending fromthe first sidewall to the second sidewall and from the top wall to thebottom wall. A door, for the interior space, extends between the topwall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall to the secondsidewall, opposite the back wall when in a closed position; according tosome embodiments, the door includes a mirror disposed on an outersurface thereof. The storage organizer further includes a base joined tothe bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the cabinetto rotate 360 degrees about the base. Embodiments including the mirror,may further include a tilting mechanism to allow the mirror to tiltupwards. Embodiments of the present invention may further include ashelf-like container disposed within the interior space and pivotallymounted to the first and second sidewalls for rotation from a firstposition to a second position.

According to some alternate embodiments, first and second interiorspaces are disposed on either side of the back wall; a first door intothe first interior space is hinged to the first sidewall and extendsfrom the top wall to the bottom wall and across to the second sidewall,and a second door into the second interior space is hinged to the secondsidewall and extends from the top wall to the bottom wall and across tothe first sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of thepresent invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention.The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended foruse in conjunction with the explanations in the following detaileddescription. Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likenumerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of an organizer, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a section view through section line A-A of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a front elevation view of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 1D is top view of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1A-C.

FIGS. 2A-B are elevation views of a first interior space of theorganizer shown in FIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a container disassembled from the firstinterior space.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a second interior space of the organizershown in FIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 4A is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the swivel jointfrom FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4B is a section view through section line B-B of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a section view through an organizer according to alternateembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-B are a side elevation view and a top view of an organizeraccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a detail view of a portion of a tilt mechanism from FIGS.6A-B.

FIG. 7A is a front elevation view of an organizer according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a section view of a door of the organizer shown in FIG. 7A,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a side view of the door shown in FIG. 7B wherein a tiltmechanism is engaged.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a perspective views into interior spaces of anorganizer, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the following description providespractical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of an organizer 10 according to someembodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 1B is a section viewthrough section line A-A of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a cabinet oforganizer 10 including a first interior space 101 and a second interiorspace 102, each formed by a first sidewall 11, a second sidewall 12opposite first side wall 11, a top wall 13 and a bottom wall 14, eachextending from first sidewall 11 to second sidewall 12; a back wall 16extends from first sidewall 11 to second side wall 12 and from top wall13 to bottom wall 14 such that first interior space 101 is disposed on afirst side 161 of back wall 16 and second interior space 102 is disposedon a second side 162 of back wall 16. A first door 110, for firstinterior space 101, is shown hinged to second side wall 12, and a seconddoor 120, for second interior space 102, is shown hinged to first sidewall 11, for example with hinges 121; both doors 110, 120 are shownpartially open. According to the illustrated embodiment, second door 120includes a mirror 125 disposed on an exterior surface 122; likewise,another mirror may be disposed on an exterior surface of first door 110.It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention are notlimited to doors which are hinged to sidewalls as depicted in theillustrations, for those skilled in the art will appreciate otherlocations for, and types of couplings suitable for the doors.

FIG. 1A further illustrates organizer 10 including a base 15 joined tobottom wall 14 by a swivel joint 145. According to embodiments of thepresent invention, swivel joint 145 allows the cabinet to swivel 360degrees about base 15, so that a person using organizer 10 may rotatethe cabinet about a vertical axis, per arrow A, in order to gain accessto all sides of organizer 10. FIG. 1D is a top view of organizer 10further illustrating various swivel positions of organizer 10 withdashed lines. An exemplary embodiment of swivel joint 145 will bedescribed below in conjunction with FIGS. 4A-B.

FIG. 1B further illustrates a depth D of the cabinet, a depth D1 offirst interior space 101 and a depth D2 of second interior space 102;according to an exemplary embodiment depth D is approximately seveninches, depth D1 is approximately 3 and 9/16 inches, and depth D2 isapproximately 2 and 9/16 inches. According to the illustratedembodiment, first interior space 101 is configured to accommodatecosmetic items and second interior space 102 is configured toaccommodate jewelry items, as will be described in greater detail below,in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-C and FIG. 3, respectively. It should beunderstood that, according to alternate embodiments of the presentinvention, both interior spaces 101, 102 could be configured to storecosmetic items, or both spaces 101, 102 could be configured to storejewelry items. Furthermore, although organizer 10 is shown including twointerior spaces 101, 102, alternate embodiments of the present inventioninclude a single interior space, either configured to store jewelryitems or cosmetic items, while further alternate embodiments include oneor more additional interior spaces, in addition to spaces 101, 102, forexample formed by additional sidewalls extending from opposing sides ofeither or both of first and second sidewalls 11, 12, as is shown incross-section in FIG. 5. If organizer 10 includes only one interiorspace, for example interior space 101, back wall 16 would terminate thesingle space, and an outer surface of back wall 16, for example secondside 162, could include a mirror disposed thereon.

FIG. 1C is a front elevation view of organizer 10 from FIGS. 1A-B. FIG.1C illustrates a width W and height H of organizer 10; according to anexemplary embodiment, width W is approximately nine and ½ inches andheight H is approximately nineteen and ½ inches. FIG. 1C furtherillustrates a height h of base 15 and a clearance c between base 15 andthe cabinet to accommodate swiveling action. According to an exemplaryembodiment, base height h is approximately 5/16 of an inch and clearancec is approximately 1/16 of an inch.

FIGS. 2A-B are elevation views of first interior space 101 of organizer10 and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of interior space 101 showingvarious cosmetic items stored therein. FIG. 2A illustrates interiorspace 101 including two shelf-like containers 21 that each include aplurality of compartments 210, each compartment 210 having an openingdirected toward top wall 13. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention, containers 21 are pivotally mounted to first andsecond sidewalls 11, 12 for rotation from a first position, in whichcontainers 21 are shown in FIG. 1A, to a second position, in whichcontainers 21 are shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 2C is a perspective view of oneof containers 21 disassembled from interior space 101 to show howcontainers 21 are pivotally mounted. FIG. 2C illustrates container 21adapted to be pivotally mounted on pins 215, one pin 215 protruding fromeach of sidewalls 11 and 12; each pin 215 mates in a slot 213 formed ineither end of each container 21. According to the illustratedembodiment, a front end 211 of each slot 213 rests on the correspondingpin 215 in the first position (FIG. 2A) until container 21 is liftedslightly to allow each slot 213 to slide forward from each pin 215, sothat an opposing end 217 of each slot 213 rests against each pin 215,such that container 21 is tilted forward into the second position (FIG.2B). The dashed lines in FIG. 2C represent an end profile of container21 tilted into the second position, wherein end 217 of slot 213 isresting on pin 215. According to the illustrated embodiment, an uppersurface of container 21, corresponding to the openings of compartments210, is disposed at an angle β of approximately 45 degrees, with respectto a horizontal plane, when container 21 is in the second position.

Each compartment 210 of containers 21 may hold tubes or bottles ofcosmetics (FIG. 8), for example lipstick or nail polish, respectively,and, according to an exemplary embodiment, have a width, depth andheight of approximately ⅞ of an inch. The second, or tilted position ofcontainers 21 (FIG. 2B) may allow for easier access to compartments 210for insertion and removal of items. With reference to FIG. 2A, a spacingS21 between containers 21, measured from a bottom of one to the bottomof the other, according to an exemplary embodiment, is approximately 3and ¼ inches; the uppermost container 21 may also be spaced a similardistance from top wall 13.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, a second type of shelf-like container 24 isshown disposed in interior space 101; according to the illustratedembodiment, container 24 is partitioned into compartments 240 bydividers extending from a front sidewall of container 24 to back wall16. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, awidth of each compartment 240 is approximately two inches, a depth ofeach compartment 240 is approximately 1 and ⅜ inches, and a height ofeach compartment 240, defined by the front sidewall, is approximately 1and 7/16 inches. According to the illustrated embodiment, eachcompartment 240 can hold wider items than compartments 210, for examplejars of cream or eye-shadow compacts. The dividers of container 24 maybe permanently positioned, or removable so that a user of organizer 10may adjust the partitioning of container 24 to re-configure compartments240. FIG. 2A further illustrates a lower compartment 250 formed by afront sidewall 25 extending up from bottom wall 14 and across from firstsidewall 11 to second sidewall 12. According to an exemplary embodiment,compartment 250 has a depth of approximately 1 and ¾ inches. Accordingto the illustrated embodiment, compartment 250 can hold larger itemsthan each of compartments 240, for example bottles of lotion or hairstyling products (FIG. 8). With reference to FIG. 2B, a spacing S241between containers 24 and 21, measured from a bottom of one to a bottomof the other, may be approximately 3 and ¾ inches, and a spacing S254between bottom wall 14 and container 24 may be approximately 7 and ½inches.

FIG. 2A further illustrates additional shelf-like containers 22 and 23mounted on an interior surface 118 of door 110; each of containers 22include compartments 220 and container 23 includes compartments 230.According to an exemplary embodiment, each compartment 220 has a widthof approximately four inches, a depth of approximately ¾ of an inch anda height of approximately one inch, and each compartment 230 has a widthof approximately one and ⅜ inch, a depth of approximately ¾ of an inch,and a height of approximately two inches. As previously described forcontainer 24, dividers of containers 22 and 23 forming compartments 220and 230, respectively, may also be removable so that a user of organizer10 can reconfigure the compartments of each container. With reference toFIG. 2B, a spacing S22 between containers 22, measured from a bottom ofone to a bottom of the other, may be approximately three and ½ inches, aspacing S221 between a top of door 110 and the bottom of the uppermostcontainer 22 may be approximately three inches, and a spacing S23between container 23 and the lowermost container 22, measured from abottom of one to a bottom of the other, may be approximately seven and ½inches.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of second interior space 102 of organizer 10and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of interior space 102 showing variousjewelry items stored therein. FIG. 3 illustrates several jewelry storageelements mounted within interior space 102 between first and secondsidewalls 11, 12; the storage elements, which are all shown attached toback wall 16, include a ring storage element 34, a hook bar 32supporting a plurality of hooks, and a pocket-like receptacle 33. FIG. 3further illustrates pocket-like receptacle 33 disposed below hook bar32, for example, so that lower portions of necklaces, which would behanging from the hooks, can be received within pocket-like receptacle33, for example, to prevent damage or tangling. According to theillustrated embodiment, ring storage element 34 includes a plurality ofslits 340 arranged in an array of rows and columns; each slit 340 iscompliant and sized for an interference fit about a single ring. Slits340 may be formed in a foam panel, which is glued to back wall 16, or bya plurality of parallel rolls positioned adjacent one another to formthe slits therebetween. Although slits 340 are illustrated extending ina horizontal direction, slits 340 may alternately extend in a verticaldirection. Pocket-like receptacle 33 may be formed by a fabric panelincluding an elastic member attached to an upper edge thereof, which maybe stretched to open receptacle 33 to receive portions of necklaces hungfrom the hooks of hook bar 32.

FIG. 3 further illustrates several additional jewelry storage elementsmounted on an inner surface 128 of door 120; the additional storageelements include an earring storage element 31, a second hook bar 32supporting a plurality of hooks, and a second pocket-like receptacle 33disposed in proximity to hook bar 32 to accommodate relatively shortjewelry items hung from hook bar 32, for example bracelets. According tothe illustrated embodiment, earring storage element includes a pluralityof horizontal cross-bars 315 spanning posts 310 that are attached toinner surface 128 of door 120; each horizontal cross bar 315 includes aplurality of openings, each dimensioned to receive an earring.

Further details regarding the jewelry storage elements described hereinare included in commonly assigned patent application, publication no.2005/0093405, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,178, which is hereby incorporatedby reference, in its entirety. Furthermore, it should be noted that anyor all of the storage elements of the present invention may be designedto be moveable within interior space 102, as described in theaforementioned commonly assigned patent application, and, any additionalstorage items not described herein but described in the aforementionedpatent application may also be incorporated into embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4A is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of swivel joint 145from FIG. 1A; and FIG. 4B is a section view through section line B-B ofFIG. 4A. As previously described, swivel joint 145 allows the cabinet toswivel 360 degrees about base 15, so that a person using organizer 10may rotate the cabinet to gain access to different sides thereof, forexample to initially access first interior space 101 and then to accesssecond interior space 102. FIG. 4A illustrates swivel joint 145including a ball bearing assembly 43 coupling base 15 to a swivel mount41, which is coupled to bottom wall 14 of the cabinet; a cavity 435 ofbase 15 contains this coupling, and an annular groove 425, formed inbase 15, contains a turning ring 42 including casters 420, which supporta weight of the cabinet while allowing swiveling action. FIG. 4Billustrates mount 41 including an outward projecting protrusion 410 andannular groove 425 including a plurality of inward projectingprotrusions 450 disposed about a perimeter thereof. According to theillustrated embodiment, protrusion 410 along with each of protrusions450 form a pair of mating stops as protrusion 410 of mount 41 rotatespast each of protrusions 450; the mating stops will slow or stop therotation of the cabinet at discrete locations about the 360degree-revolution thereof. The mating stops can regulate a speed ofrotation so that a person using organizer 10 does not inadvertently spinthe cabinet past a desired point, and can hold the cabinet at a desiredpoint about the 360 degree-revolution. It should be noted that alternateembodiments of the present invention may include a fewer or a greaternumber of protrusions 450 in groove 450 to provide a different number ofmating stops; furthermore, additional embodiments include other types ofstops or no stops at all.

FIG. 5 is a section view through an organizer 50 according to alternateembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates organizer 50including a cabinet having four interior spaces 501, 502, 503, and 504,each of which may include either shelf-like containers, for example asdescribed for first interior space 101 of organizer 10, or jewelrystorage elements, for example as described for second interior space 102of organizer 10, or a combination of both. First and second interiorspaces 501 and 502 are shown formed by a first side wall 511, a secondsidewall 512 and a back wall 516 extending between first and secondsidewalls 511, 512. Third interior space 503 is shown formed by a pairof sidewalls 513 and 523 extending from opposing ends of first sidewall511; and fourth interior space 504 is shown formed by a pair ofsidewalls 514 and 524 extending from opposing ends of second sidewall512. FIG. 5 further illustrates each interior space 501, 502, 503, 504accessible through corresponding doors 510, 520, 530 and 540, which areshown hinged to sidewalls 511, 512, 523 and 514, respectively; each dooris shown partially open. According to embodiments of the presentinvention, organizer 50 further includes a base 515 on which the cabinetis pivotally mounted, so that a user may swivel the cabinet for accessto each of interior spaces 501, 502, 503, 504; although not shown, itshould be understood that the cabinet is joined to base 515 by a swiveljoint, which may be similar to that described for organizer 10.

Organizers according to the present invention may be of any proportions,for example, one group of embodiments has a relatively large overallsize, for example, to stand on a floor, and another group of embodimentshas a relatively small overall size, for example, to stand on acounter-top or dresser-top. In either case, some of the embodiments,which include a mirror, for example, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1C,further include a tilt mechanism in order to orient the mirror at anangle with respect to a vertical axis. For the floor models, an upwardtilt of the mirror may be particularly desired, however it iscontemplated that an upward tilt would also be desirable for thecounter-top or dresser-top models, particularly if the top on which theorganizer is placed is around waist height. FIGS. 6A-7C illustrateseveral embodiments of tilt mechanisms. Of course other types of tiltingmechanisms now known or later invented may be used. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,870,858 entitled “Christmas Tree Stand”, which is herebyincorporated in its entirety, describes a tilt mechanism which may beadapted for use with organizers of the present invention. Furthermore,foot activated mechanisms for applying either a lever or a wedgingaction may be incorporated into tilting mechanisms for organizers of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 6A-B are a side elevation view and a top view of an organizer 60according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 6A-Billustrate organizer 60 including first sidewall 11, second sidewall 12opposite first side wall 11, top wall 13 and bottom wall 14, eachextending from first sidewall 11 to second sidewall 12; a back wall 16extends from first sidewall 11 to second side wall 12 and from top wall13 to bottom wall 14. Similar to the cabinet of previously illustratedorganizer 10, the aforementioned walls enclose an interior space of thecabinet, which is accessible via door 120 that may be hinged to firstside wall 11; the cabinet is also similarly coupled by swivel joint 145to base 15. A mirror may be disposed on an outer surface of either orboth of door 120 and back wall 16, and FIG. 6A further illustratesorganizer including a tilt mechanism 650 to orient organizer 60 and thusmirror(s) at an angle with respect to a vertical axis. According to theillustrated embodiment, tilt mechanism 650 includes a first telescopingleg 654 and a second telescoping leg 656, which each include an innerportion 651 and an outer portion 652, into which inner portion 651extends.

FIG. 6C is a detail view of one of telescoping legs 654, 656. FIG. 6Cillustrates a locking pin 653 holding inner portion 651 in place withrespect to outer portion 652 at a desired extension of inner portion 651from outer portion 652. According to the illustrated embodiment, outerportion 651 includes a hole (not shown), passing through opposingsidewalls thereof, and inner portion 651 includes a series of holes (notshown) spaced along a length thereof, each hole extending throughopposing sidewalls thereof; an alignment of inner and outer holesprovides a passageway for pin 653 to pass in order to reversibly lockportions 651, 652 together at various extensions of inner portion 651from outer portion 652. FIG. 6A illustrates inner portions 651 extendingequidistance from outer portions 652 of first and second legs 654, 656,such that organizer 60 is not tilted; FIG. 6A further illustrates, withdashed lines, a tilt of organizer 60 that would result if inner portion651 of first leg 654 were to be extended, per arrow C. If door 120includes a mirror disposed on an outer surface thereof, it will beappreciated that the tilt shown by the dashed lines will provide aperson, whose eye-level is within a range extending along and above anupper portion of the mirror, an improved view into the mirror.

FIG. 7A is a front elevation view of an organizer 70 according to someembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7A illustrates a door 720,which provides access to an interior space of a cabinet of organizer 70;the cabinet of organizer 70 may include one or more interior spaces, forexample, similar to either organizer 10 or organizer 50, previouslyillustrated, and is shown coupled to base 15 by swivel joint 145. FIG.7A further illustrates a panel 721 including a mirror 726 and a handle725, each disposed on an outer surface thereof; panel 721 is showncoupled to door 720 by a pair of hinges 730.

FIG. 7B is a section view of a door of the organizer shown in FIG. 7A,according to one embodiment. FIG. 7B illustrates door 720 including arecessed area 724 into which panel 721 is fitted. FIG. 7B furtherillustrates panel 721 including a tilt mechanism, which is formed by anarm 723 joined to panel at a pivot joint 722, in combination with hinges730. According to the illustrated embodiment, a lower portion of panel721 may be pulled away from door 720, for example, via handle 725, to bereversibly locked in a tilted position, when arm 723 rotates about pivotjoint 722 and becomes extended to support panel as illustrated in FIG.7C. According to some embodiments arm 723 is disposed near a midpoint ofa width of panel 721 and may extend across the width; according toalternate embodiments, multiple arms 723 may be spaced apartapproximately across the width of panel 721. It may be appreciated thatthe tilt of panel 721 shown in FIG. 7C will provide a person, whoseeye-level is within a range extending along and above an upper portionof the mirror, an improved view into mirror 726.

In the foregoing detailed description, the invention has been describedwith reference to specific embodiments. However, it may be appreciatedthat various modifications and changes can be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 10 shows the interior of one embodiment of the jewelry cabinet 810,including the interior surface 830 of the door 822 and the interior 832of the box frame 812. A number of jewelry storage elements are containedin the interior 830 of the door 822 and the interior 832 of the boxframe 812. The jewelry storage elements are described in more detailbelow. For convenience, the same reference numbers will be used to referto the same features when used in different embodiments.

Now referring to FIG. 10, the interior surface 830 of the door 822includes an earring storage area 840. The earring storage area 840 mayinclude one or more earring bars 842. Each earring bar 842 includes anumber of slits 844 for receiving the post or other component of a pairof earrings. Earrings intended for pierced ears may be inserted ordropped into the slits 844. Clip earrings may be mounted directly on theearring bar 842. In one embodiment, ten earring bars are included in theearring storage area 840. However, many different numbers of earringbars may be provide din the earring storage area 840, such as one, two,five, twelve or fifteen.

Vertical elements 846 are connected to the earring bars 842. Thevertical elements 846 attach to the door 822 and the earring bars 842 inturn attach to the vertical elements 846. The vertical elements 846 mayattach to the interior surface 830 of the door 822 in many ways. Forexample, the vertical elements may be nailed, screwed, or glued to theinterior 830 of the door 822. The interior surface 830 of the door 822includes the wood frame and central area 848 surrounded by the woodframe. The central area 848 includes a cloth covering or other type ofcovering over the back of the mirror. In one embodiment, the cloth asanti-tarnish properties. Alternatively, a separate piece of wood,laminate, or other material may be positioned next to the back of themirror. A cloth may be positioned in the central area 848 directlyadjacent to the mirror or in addition to another piece of material.Alternatively, the back of the mirror could be exposed on the interiorsurface of the door. Alternatively, as noted above, the door 822 can besolid so that the back of the mirror 826 is not exposed by the interiorsurface 830 of the door 822.

Again referring to FIG. 10, below the earring storage area 840 there aretwo hook bars 850. The hook bars 850 have a number of hooks positionedon them to hold hanging items, such as bracelets, necklaces, or otherhanging jewelry articles. Between the two hook bars 850, a braceletstorage area 852 is defined. The size of the bracelet storage area 852may be selected to allow for convenient storage of bracelets.

The lower hook bar 850 on the inside surface 830 of door 822 is arrangedto allow for storage of longer hanging items such as necklaces. Thishook bar may be referred to a necklace bar, because the area beneath itis ample to support the hanging of necklaces. A pouch 854 is positionedat the bottom of the door's interior surface 830. The pouch 854functions to contain very long necklaces that would otherwise extendbelow the bottom of the door 822. The pouch 854 preferably includes anelastic element 856 at it stop edge to neatly contain the necklaceportions.

The door interior 830 may also include a door securing element 858.Alternatively, a door securing element is not required for the cabinet810. The door securing element 858 could be a magnet that holds the doorshut without locking it. Alternatively, the door securing element 858could be a latching or locking-type mechanism, such as a standardkey-operated locking mechanism.

FIG. 10 also shows the interior 832 of the box frame 812. A ring storagearea 860 includes a foam ring section with slits 862 for holding rings.The ring storage area 860 is defined between a top wall 814 of the boxframe 812 and a divider 864. On the sides, the ring storage area isbordered by the two side walls 818, 820 of the box frame 812. The ringarea may be about 7 inches tall including a foam section about ¾ inchthick. The foam section may be secured in the box frame using glue.

Below the divider 864, another hook bar 850 is positioned including anumber of hooks for hanging jewelry articles, such as necklaces. Anotherpouch 854 is located below the hook bar 850 that is located on interior832 of the box frame 812.

Below the hook bar 850 and pouch 854, a shelf storage area 870 isdefined and includes a number of shelves 872. In one embodiment, theshelves may be provided with shelf dividers 874 for convenientlydividing the top surface area on the shelves 872 into individual storageareas for jewelry articles. The dividers 874 may be movable and/orremovable.

In one embodiment, the earring bar is about 12 inches wide, about ⅛thick and about 7/16 inches tall. The slits 844 for holding earrings inthe earring bar 842 may be about ⅛ inch deep and may be spaced apart byabout ½ inch. Many different configurations are possible for the earringbar, including different shapes, and many different dimensions for thedepth of the slits, the spacing of the slits, and the dimensions of theearring bar. The earring bar 842 can be attached to vertical elements846 as shown in FIG. 10.

Another alternative arrangement of interior components of a cabinetwould involve placing the door elements from FIG. 10 in the box frameand placing the box frame elements on the door. These components may bereversed or certain specific components may be reversed in theirplacement on the door or in the box frame. For example, the box framemay include several earring bars, two hook bars and a pouch. The doormay include a ring storage foam structure, a hook bar, and one or moreshelves. A bracelet bar may be positioned on either the door or in thebox frame in this version.

1-51. (canceled)
 52. A storage organizer for vanity items comprising: acabinet including: a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing thefirst sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to thesecond sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending fromthe first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall extendingfrom the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from the top wall tothe bottom wall; a first interior space disposed on the first side ofthe back wall and formed by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, thetop wall, the bottom wall, and the back wall; and a second interiorspace disposed on the second side of the back wall and formed by thefirst sidewall, the second sidewall, the top wall, the bottom wall, andthe back wall; a first door, for the first interior space, extendingbetween the top wall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall tothe second sidewall, opposite the back wall when in a closed position; asecond door, for the second interior space, extending between the topwall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall to the secondsidewall, opposite the back wall, when in a closed position; and a basejoined to the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowingthe cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.
 53. The organizer ofclaim 52, further comprising a mirror disposed on an outer surface ofthe first door.
 54. The organizer of claim 53, further comprisinganother mirror disposed on an outer surface of the second door.
 55. Theorganizer of claim 52, further comprising a jewelry storage elementmounted within the first interior space.
 56. The organizer of claim 52,further comprising a shelf-like container mounted within the firstinterior space.
 57. The organizer of claim 56, wherein the containerincludes a plurality of compartments, each compartment having anopening.
 58. The organizer of claim 56, wherein the container ispivotally mounted to the first and second sidewalls for rotation from afirst position to a second position.
 59. The organizer of claim 58,wherein the container includes at least one compartment, the compartmenthaving an opening, the opening directed toward the top wall when thecontainer is in the first position and directed outward from the firstinterior space when in the container is in the second position.
 60. Theorganizer of claim 56, further comprising a jewelry storage elementmounted within the second interior space.
 61. The organizer of claim 52,further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted on an inner surfaceof the first door.
 62. The organizer of claim 52, further comprising ajewelry storage element mounted on an inner surface of the second door.63. The organizer of claim 52, wherein the swivel joint includes a pairof mating stops to slow rotation of the cabinet at a discrete location,the stops allowing rotation of the cabinet past the location.
 64. Theorganizer of claim 52, wherein the swivel joint includes a plurality ofpairs of mating stops to slow rotation of the cabinet, each at acorresponding discrete location, the pairs of stops allowing rotation ofthe cabinet past each of the locations.
 65. The organizer of claim 60wherein the jewelry storage element is a ring tray.
 66. The organizer ofclaim 62 wherein the jewelry storage element is a bracelet bar.
 67. Theorganizer of claim 62 wherein the jewelry storage element is an earringstorage area.
 68. The jewelry organizer of claim 61 wherein the jewelrystorage element is a hook bar having a plurality of hooks.
 69. Thejewelry organizer of claim 67 wherein the earring storage area has atleast one earring bar, with the earring bar having a plurality of slits.70. The jewelry organizer of claim 68, further comprising a pouchlocated beneath the hook bar and is configured to capture lengthy piecesof jewelry placed on the plurality of hooks.